The Sharon Plan, developed in 1948, served as the foundational master plan for the newly established state of Israel, dictating housing strategies for incoming immigrant populations. Architect Arieh Sharon, who spearheaded this national infrastructure initiative, became a central figure in defining the country’s mid-century landscape through his implementation of Bauhaus principles.
Formative Years and Bauhaus Training
Born in 1900 in Jaroslaw, Galicia, Arieh Sharon initially studied at the German Technical University in Brno before emigrating to Palestine in 1920. He spent time as a member of Kvutzat Gan Shmuel, focusing on agricultural infrastructure. His transition to professional architecture began in 1926 when he enrolled at the Bauhaus in Dessau. Under the guidance of Walter Gropius and Hannes Meyer, he focused on functionalist designs, eventually earning his diploma in 1929. He gained significant experience managing Hannes Meyer's office in Berlin, notably supervising the construction of the ADGB Trade Union School.
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Returning to Tel Aviv in 1931, Sharon quickly integrated European modernist aesthetics into the local climate. His work on the 1932 Levant Fair pavilions, composed of modular elements, showcased his commitment to efficient, replicable building systems. He pioneered residential cooperative housing estates, known as Meonot Ovdim, which emphasized communal garden spaces and ground-floor public services. These designs helped codify the 'International Style' within Tel Aviv, with his implementation of pilotis—elevated structures that provided shaded, naturally ventilated streetscapes—becoming a signature of the city's urban environment.
Public Service and International Practice
Following the 1947–1949 war, Sharon was appointed head of the Government Planning Department, where he oversaw the national Sharon Plan to manage massive demographic shifts. He transitioned back to private practice in 1954, specializing in healthcare architecture, including the planning of major medical centers. In the 1960s, his firm expanded its reach, undertaking large-scale projects such as the Ife University campus in Nigeria. His professional contributions were recognized with the Israel Prize in 1962. Throughout his career, he also shared his expertise as a faculty member at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.
Fast facts
- Born: 1900, Jaroslaw
- Died: 1984, Paris
- Education: Bauhaus, 1926-1929
- Notable Work: Sharon Plan
- Award: Israel Prize, 1962
- Citizenship: Israel
- Burial Site: Nahalat Yitzhak Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was Sharon's role in the Bauhaus movement?
He studied at the Bauhaus in Dessau under Walter Gropius and Hannes Meyer and supervised the construction of the ADGB Trade Union School.
Did Arieh Sharon build outside of Israel?
Yes, in the 1960s and 1970s, he expanded his practice internationally and designed the Ife University campus in Nigeria.
Achievements
- Notable work: Sharon Plan
- Israel Prize
- Trained at Bauhaus
